6th Page [Video]

[gachatia]

[G'raha clicks on his 'gear looking a bit tired, but like...not in the haggard scholarly way of someone who's been pushing himself. More like the "I am experiencing a whirlwind of holidays that are similar to ones I know but still different enough that I'm confused" kind of tired, which is pretty valid. But hey, that sure is the top of a Pokemon egg peeking in from the bottom of the screen - he'll angle the video down so people can see he's got it in his lap, wrapped in his scarf. Uh, for warmth, I guess?]

So I am assuming this is not an unusual occurrence, given all my companions received a similar sort of gift, but...I must confess, though being designated as a Pokemon breeder, this is my first time caring for one of their eggs. Do mystery eggs often pop up like this as some kind of gift around this world's holidays, or is this a special case? Mine is...still not hatched, which is fine, but I'm going out of my way to make sure it isn't neglected and...am I doing something incorrectly?

[He. He doesn't want to kill it on accident, you know?]

If anyone might have a tip or two that wouldn't be in the provided handbook, I would very much like to hear it, I...I would like to do this right, for the benefit of the egg.

[A pause, as he looks away, fumbling with the 'gear. He's probably trying to turn it off, but it catches this before he finally hits the button to end the recording.]

-Would make sense to have some experience if I'm going to help them with what they want to try-

Comments

[prayreturn]

[ Minfilia is Suddenly Concerned!!! Before pausing. ]

Perhaps it is simply a late bloomer of an egg? My Deino took a month to hatch...

Oh! And if you wish, you could borrow my Larvesta - I believe that she aids with egg hatching.

[gachatia]

Ah, no, I wouldn't want to put you out...perhaps I ought to be more patient.

[But it's a fierce combo of restless excitement and actual worry he's made it all go sideways, so Minfilia can easily see G'raha shifting uncomfortably a bit.]

[prayreturn]

[ She's oddly cheerful, but she does notice that! ]

Honestly - I am to be visiting Saffron soon, and I believe that the city might be a little too much for the Larvesta. Many cities are too much for me, and I'm quite a bit older.

[ minfilia is startled by big cities still with all their technology tyvm ]

[gachatia]

[Do we need to have an "I'm older, no I'm older" argument]

Then perhaps it might be a good idea, if only so your Larvesta can have something of a break.

[prayreturn]

[ buddy she has no idea that you're actually older then you look ]

It is a hard job, being a heater.

Speaking of - I had no idea you were designated as a Breeder.

[gachatia]

[OH BOY]

Ah, well, yes. There's a considerable amount of research and study that seems to go into things, so I don't mind, but the actual biological processes are still a bit...esoteric to me. That, and, I'm not of a mind to force Pokemon to make eggs if they aren't inclined to do so...but from what I've heard, most times it happens completely by surprise.

[prayreturn]

You could say that - the eggs I recently came across... well, I was trying to coax one of them to breed, to give a gift to an ally, but--

--it's quite a lot. It does make me wonder - if they're catching us by surprise, our allies must feel quite relaxed and safe. Wild beasts, for example, wouldn't... ahem, lay eggs... if they were in a situation where they did not feel they would be able to hatch. It's almost a relief that it's a common surprise.

[gachatia]

Living amongst people does give them a measure of stability. They have a safe place to rest, food provided to them, access to healthcare...that likely makes the situation ideal for raising young, in their minds.

[prayreturn]

And, thus, they gift us with their young. I do hope they do not mind that we give their young away.

...Though I think they would be able to vocalize if they were. I should not speak as if these tribesmen have no voice of their own.

[ There's an interesting slip of the tongue. ]

[gachatia]

I think it helps that we gift them to others with the intent for them to be raised with the same love and care as we might provide.

[Hmmmm]

...It is a bit like the varying tribes of peoples across our star, is it not? So varied in form and tongue, yet all with hopes and dreams of their own. I can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind.

[desirestruth]

It seems several people have had such eggs delivered to them...I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary if it hasn't hatched quite yet. Several species do take longer to incubate.

If you are worried, though, I find it's best to rig them in a sling and keep them close to your body heat. A pokemon with a higher body temperature may also help, but the eggs do best when kept close to you.

[A pause.]

It's normal to be anxious, when first experiencing fatherhood. You'll do alright.

[gachatia]

[KDJNKRESN

G'raha just fucking chokes and sputters at that last bit, turning red.]

I've - that is to say - this isn't - well, the situation wasn't - a Pokemon and a Viis are two entirely different beings!!

[desirestruth]

A viis?

[Naeva tilts her head a little. Oh, he flusters so easily...that's fun!]

As breeders, we are entrusted with these eggs...we are as much responsible for raising them as their biological parents, no?

[gachatia]

P-Perhaps, but an egg is an egg, and a Viis is a Viis, and as far as I am aware they do not emerge fully grown from eggs - oh, gods, now the image is in my head and I hate it...

[desirestruth]

If they're mammals, then the "egg" is simply a more internal process, sir, no need to be so squeamish.

[She did snicker a little.]

[gachatia]

[He's less squeamish and more flustered, thank you very much]

But Pokemon are a variety of creature types - whyever would they all come from eggs...

[He sighs, shakes his head. It's a question he's asked aloud and to himself repeatedly, he's sick of it by now.]

My apologies, I think my concern has upended much of my, erm, concentration?

[desirestruth]

Well, truly, no one seems to have the answer to why they hatch from eggs. But magical creatures needn't follow the normal natural order, do they?

[Naeva can accept a lot of things under the heading of "it's magic, don't question it", to be honest. ]

You were concerned for the well-being of the egg. I can hardly find any fault in that, just a little fun teasing a young man, that's all.

[gachatia]

[He huffs out a little laugh. Heh, young.]

Well, if anything, I'm glad to be of service to the amusement of a young woman, even at the cost of my dignity.

[desirestruth]

Oh...I don't think one gets to be called young after they pass a century, but I will take the compliment in either case.

[Naeva does snicker a bit. Listen, what's the point of being unaging if you can't laugh at how old people think you are?]

Your dignity will recover, I'm sure.

[Naeva has clearly never met a miqo'te.]

[gachatia]

Ah, is that so? Despite my own protests, I have met those who would insist upon the contrary. But to be fair, they have many centuries over the general populace - the rare few even eons.

[You're so nonchalant about this...]

But Emet-Selch is an outlier and should not be counted.

[desirestruth]

I don't believe I've had the pleasure of his acquaintance, so I shan't be counting him regardless.

[She pauses.]

Ah...from your phrasing, I take it you decidedly do not look your age?

[gachatia]

His acquaintance is a bit of a mixed bag, to be fair.

[Sometimes he shoots you in the back, it's fine.]

And no, technically, I do not. Though this body is of one age, the mind is...well. An additional century's worth of memories do not so easily fade away.

[desirestruth]

Well, I'm told the memory goes first in old age, so perhaps you and I are still young yet?

[gachatia]

[A chuckle!]

Mayhap we are.

[songofthedawn]

The few eggs I've received before all hatched at different times...I don't think you've done anything wrong. But perhaps we could make a sling for you to carry it easier with you?

[gachatia]

Oh! Yes, that would be much easier! I could actually walk about and do things!

[Somehow G'raha with an egg in a sling is a very gay image]

[songofthedawn]

Don't tell me you'd been carrying it in your arms this whole time!

[They laugh and pull a teasing grin.]

You could have wrapped it up and used a bag as well, you know. Though I did use up a lot of blankets making sure it was well cushioned...

[gachatia]

Sort of? My Pokemon have helped by...cuddling with it, as well.

[He has pictures. He can show you.]

[songofthedawn]

[CRIT DIRECT HIT they very much would like to see those pictures...]

Ohh...that egg must be healthy as can be, with so many caring for it.

[gachatia]

[Sends a pic...have you ever seen a Skitty splayed out directly on top of an egg while a Smeargle holds/hugs it upright with its tail? Now you have.]

It surely is a very lucky individual.